Outstanding Senior Builds Community Through Journalism and Advocacy: Zoe Montaño, ‘24

Zoe Montaño, who is graduating with a major in Journalism and a minor in Public Relations, is the recipient of the SBS Outstanding Senior Award for winter 2024. The award is given to a graduating senior from the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences with a record of outstanding achievement, a history of active citizenship on campus and/or in the community, and a demonstrated capacity for leadership.

“With an incredible academic record, ongoing leadership, and commitment to the community during her time at the University of Arizona, Zoe has persevered through significant challenges to stand out as an exemplary student and citizen,” said Kendal Blust, associate director of the School of Journalism. 

Zoe counts Kendal Blust, Liliana Soto, Becky Pallack, and Cathy Burch as faculty members who played significant roles in her evolution as a student and journalist. 

“This award feels like a recognition not just of the work I’ve put in the past 3 1/2 years, but also of the incredible support I’ve received from my professors and fellow J-school students,” said Zoe.  “I couldn’t have made it through these past few years on my own, I’m so grateful to everyone who has been part of this chapter.”

Zoe — a native Tucsonan and SBS Ambassador — is also a marketing and communications intern for Alisa’s Angels Foundation and a digital marketing student assistant for the University of Arizona Foundation. Before these roles, she held numerous leadership positions, including overseeing employees and training staff as a student lead at the U of A Bookstore, supporting students as a resident assistant with Housing and Residential Life, helping create inclusive spaces as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair for the Arizona Ambassadors Honorary, and advocating for bilingual campus tours. She also wrote a bi-weekly newsletter to keep campus guides informed and updated.

While working a full-time job and volunteering on and off campus, Zoe also demonstrated a strong work ethic and commitment to excellence in her academic pursuits. Her natural penchant for fresh perspectives has helped her generate original story ideas that engage and reflect the community. 

“Zoe found two sisters who started a club on campus to celebrate their Oaxacan and Indigenous cultures and a Yaqui woman who was helping fellow tribal members to get their businesses online,” said Cathy Burch, adjunct instructor in the School of Journalism and reporter for the Arizona Daily Star. “She brought to life these colorful characters that she encountered who had compelling stories to tell.”

“Representation matters because I’ve seen how a lack of it can limit understanding and quiet voices that deserve to be heard,” said Zoe. “As a journalist, I have the opportunity to share their experiences with the world. My hope is that someone will read one of my stories and see themselves in it.”

Not surprisingly, Zoe has the next chapter of her story planned out. Starting in January 2025, she will begin work as a full-time digital marketing specialist at the U of A Foundation. 

“I am so excited to learn more about the analytical side of marketing and continue telling the stories of UA’s outstanding students, alumni, and donors,” Zoe said. “Beyond work … I plan to spend time with family and friends, freelance, continue volunteering in Tucson and get back into a regular gym routine. I also hope to travel next year — Machu Picchu is at the top of my list!  Grad school might also be in my future.”

Zoe added, “But first, I plan to catch up on sleep.”

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